Sarah Webb, Natasha Mac A Bháird, Alan Nolan, Úna Woods, Eve McDonnell at Alan’s launch last year at Halfway Up The Stairs, Greystones.
Bray author Alan Nolan will visit Greystones to launch his new book in the children’s bookshop, Halfway up the Stairs, this weekend, when fans can spend an afternoon catching up with the well-loved children’s writer and illustrator.
The Grand Central Cinema Club is the title of Alan’s new book, and the author, who last year was recognised for his outstanding contribution to children’s literature when he received the Annual Children’s Books Ireland Award, will be in the store on Saturday, September 6, at 4pm.
The book takes readers back to Dublin in 1937, to the Grand Central Cinema on O’Connell Street, where the children of Dublin watch their Hollywood heroes on the silver screen.
When Sylvie meets tenement boy Jem and his daredevil sister Juno, they bond over their love of movies. But an accident means Juno will miss the latest film at the Grando, so they hatch a plot to hijack the movie reel and do a top-secret private showing instead.
Meanwhile, a sneak thief called The Magpie has his eye on the Grand Central Cinema too. Can Sylvie and Jem revive Juno’s ailing spirits by bringing the movies to her? Will they foil The Magpie’s feather-brained plan in time?
Alan grew up in Windy Arbour, Dublin, before moving to Bray and is known for books such as The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens, The Curious Case of the Irish Yeti, Double Trouble at the Dead Zoo, and the Sam Hannigan series. His novella, Sam Hannigan’s Rock Star Granny, was the World Book Day Book for Ireland in 2019.
He received the Annual Children’s Books Ireland Award in September last year, after he was nominated by fellow artists. The prestigious award was presented to him by Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde, who described him as “one of the most hard-working and generous writers working in Ireland”.
No stranger to Greystones, Alan saw his wonderful book, Molly Malone & Bram Stoker in The Curious Case Of The Irish Yeti, adapted to the stage, when adoring young fans thronged the Whale Theatre, in April. The show was an exciting and hilarious musical mystery adventure for both young audiences and families.
You can get copies of the Grand Central Cinema Club (O’Brien Pres) on the day, and Alan will sign them for you. No booking is needed but do get there early as space is limited.